Another homecoming at Warped for Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Their popularity has ballooned. They went from long-haired kids from Middleburg to international pop stars in what seems to be a blink of an eye.

It was not even two years ago when the local favorites that frequented Jackrabbits and the Art Bar exploded in popularity and started touring and recording with Virgin Records.

Thursday, at the 2007 Vans Warped Tour in Green Cove Springs, the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus was arguably the most popular band on tour.

Red Jumpsuit's style is unique, especially at the Warped Tour. Unlike other bands on the tour, the quintet is featured, seemingly non-stop, on MTV and Top 40 radio stations.

They have re-tied the knot in the marriage of Rock 'n Roll and pop culture.

“We’re on the radio because we’re the band people call and ask for. We’re proud to be that band,” said RJA lead singer Ronnie Winter. “I think it’s cool to be on pop radio.”

Winter said a lot of bands face criticism for trying to go mainstream. “I’m glad we can be the ones to do it.”

The road to success was not easy for Red Jumpsuit.

“[It took] persistence,'' Winter said. ''We had a lot of hurdles; we got passed by six different labels before Virgin. This wasn’t the first go around for any of us.”

According to him, the musicians’ past failures in other bands were great learning experiences.

“We needed those. We were finally able to get our vibe right. Come to think of it, it wasn’t all that difficult.”

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has been on tour for an almost non-stop two years.

“We wanted to tour as much as possible,” he said. “I know we have a lot of fans because we’ve met most of them while on the road.”

While on tour, Red Jumpsuit has used its fame for good. The band has long protested domestic violence and suicide, and they have raised money for programs related to these problems through subjective concert tours, CD compilations and T-shirts sales.

“Our actions speak louder than our words,” Winter said. “While you’re rocking out and having a good time, why not help out?”

At the Warped Tour’s North Florida stop, Thursday, the guys from R.J.A. were one of the headlining acts. They also won the award that sort of makes them the prom kings of Warped.

Each day, fans get to vote for the band they want to play an extra-long set in the Energizer Encore Music Competition. It’s no more than a popularity contest, but the band wasn’t just nominated because the members were playing for their home crowd. It has won seven of the 14 contests since the tour began - more than any other band on the tour.

“It’s like a dream come true — Warped Tour main stage,” said Winter.

Though the band has faced boundless popularity and fame, the members have not forgotten their roots.

“There is 100 percent correlation between R.J.A. and local fans. They inspired us to keep going,” said Winter. “We still live the same life. I still live in the same house in Middleburg and I walk the same dog down the same street.”

The band does agree that one luxury is not minded, however.

Winter explained his favorite part of the fame:

“We moved from the van to a tour bus in October,'' he said. ''It’s much more comfortable.”